President Donald Trump's endorsement record is on the line Tuesday evening as two of his endorsed candidates face formidable primary challengers in their bids to keep congressional seats.

The main races on Tuesday include the South Carolina GOP gubernatorial primary runoff and two hotly contested House races in Utah. 

In the Palmetto State, the runoff pits state Attorney General Alan Wilson against Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette for the party nomination to succeed outgoing GOP Gov. Henry McMaster. The winner is expected to take the General Election in November, considering state voters have not elected a Democratic governor since 1999. 

In Utah, Reps. Blake Moore and Celeste Maloy face off against state Rep. Karianne Lisonbee and former state Rep. Phil Lyman, respectively, in the GOP House primary.

The incumbent House members are generally regarded as moderates compared to their primary challengers, but both scored endorsements from Trump, as did Evette and Wilson.

Trump's endorsements in each contest seem to display an inclination towards the safer bets that would preserve his record come Election Day.

In New York, meanwhile, New York City Democratic Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani has boldly endorsed challengers to two incumbent House Democrats representing congressional districts within his city – Reps. Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat. 

South Carolina

The Palmetto State’s Republican primary for governor was a crowded contest. In the first round, Evette placed first after Trump issued his endorsement of her. Wilson placed a close second followed by Rep. Ralph Norman, businessman Rom Reddy and Rep. Nancy Mace. 

But Trump’s endorsement could only carry Evette so far, and polling for the runoff began to show Wilson pulling ahead, seemingly prompting Trump to issue his double endorsement over the weekend. 

Trump has long touted the importance of his endorsement in primary contests, and a decisive Wilson win would have been a blow to his credibility after Republicans rejected his choice for Georgia governor, in favor of a candidate with more establishment support.

Still, Trump has a 98% success rate for the 302 primary endorsements he has made in 2026, according to Ballotpedia.

Reports had emerged that Trump would issue the double endorsement of Wilson and Evette days ahead of time. He previously issued similar endorsements in the Arizona House race between Blake Masters and Abe Hamadeh, and in the Missouri Senate primary by endorsing “Eric” in a contest that included Eric Schmitt and Eric Greitens.

Utah

The House races feature relative moderates backed by Trump facing off against comparatively more right-wing candidates. Moore is facing off against Lisonbee, who has singled out the incumbent for his role in a state committee that reformed redistricting in Utah.

Many Republicans have blamed that effort for a court ruling that saw the state redraw the congressional maps to include a Democratic-leaning district, and Lisonbee hopes to capitalize on that issue on Tuesday. Lisonbee already beat Moore in a party delegate contest, suggesting the momentum is on her side, the Associated Press reported.

Maloy’s race seems to be more in favor of the incumbent, as she previously beat back Lyman at the state convention vote. While both candidates have made direct appeals to rural voters, Lyman has embraced marginally more populist rhetoric and painted Maloy as a more establishment figure.

“I don't think anybody even expects to hear the truth from members of Congress. I'm not trying to be critical. I'm saying the stakes are very, very high,” he said, according to local outlet KUER.

Though each race and municipality have their own considerations, and candidate policy and quality can have significant impact, both races seem to pit populists against old-guard lawmakers and the results could signal the direction of the GOP in the near future.

New York

In the Big Apple, Mamdani is backing former NYC comptroller Brad Lander, who has embraced pro-Palestinian stances in contrast to Goldman. 

Espaillat, meanwhile, faces democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier. The endorsements against incumbents have rankled Democrats and potentially placed Mamdani and his allies on a collision course with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as he tries to retake control of the House for Democrats.  

With Mamdani's involvement in the primary field, the Tuesday races appear poised to become pivotal battlegrounds for the direction of the Democratic Party.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.